British student 'designs smartphone made from bamboo'

In a world's first, a 23-year-old British student has designed a mobile phone made from bamboo.

Kieron-Scott Woodhouse of Middlesex University, who lives in Shepherds Bush in London, has said that he plans to release his product throughout Europe later this year, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

Woodhouse, who studies product design, was frustrated with the lack of variety in the mobile phone market, and so he designed the bamboo handset in his leisure time.

Made from four-year-old organically grown bamboo, which has been specially treated to ensure durability, the 'ADzero' phone runs on the Android operating system and is about half the size of an iPhone.

Like many phones it will include a camera, but ADzero features technology called a 'ring flash' not available on any current mobile phone. A circular photographic flash around the camera's lens ensures even illumination and minimises shadows.

Woodhouse said: "Bamboo may seem like a strange material to use for a phone, but it’s actually extremely strong and very durable, perfect qualities for this kind of application. The whole experience so far has been incredible and completely unexpected. I can't wait to see my phone in shops this year."

Andy Bardill, Woodhouse's teacher, added: "Kieron- Scott is a remarkable designer and has made the most of the opportunities Middlesex has provided, which put him in good stead to make his new company a real success."